Book review: The Guestbook by Holly Martin

Welcome to the Willow Cottage. Meet Annie, the owner of this warm and cozy place. When you hear her name, you’ll think it is an old lady, and many people mistake her for the owner’s granddaughter. But she is young, beautiful, smart and kind woman who suffered a lot losing her husband not so long time ago. There is also her brother-in-law, the very famous writer Oliver Black who is secretly in love with her. He is her best friend and always takes care for her. And every single story is spiced with the comments of Sophia, the cleaner.

I totally enjoyed this lovely story written in notes. Writing in the guestbook helps people to communicate. It is an interesting way of talking among the guests in the Cottage. The guestbook of The Willow Cottage is a place where people can open their souls, actually talk to each other when they think that there is nothing left to say, gossip, share memories and emotions. There are no dialogues, everyone talks (writes) for him/herself. Maybe this is better way to say what’s on your mind. Sometimes people don’t have the courage to talk to each other face to face. So they write. There are touching stories that made me cry, and the funny ones that made me laugh so hard. Through all those notes, you can follow the story of Annie, her loss of her husband and finding the love again. Reading the guestbook you’ll meet very different characters, from old ladies with several pets, to divorcing couples who are making up their marriage again.

I must say that Ms. Martin has a rare and unique way of writing. I haven’t read a book written in notes before. Every single note complements the previous one, and the result is warm and cozy story that will melt your heart. Totally recommended.